Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch affirm importance of cooperation

Published: 2006-03-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow have affirmed the importance of Catholics and Orthodox cooperating to keep Gospel values alive in increasingly secularized societies. The Vatican March 17 published an Italian translation of letters the two leaders exchanged in February. Pope Benedict sent his brief letter on the occasion of Patriarch Alexy's 77th birthday and his name day Feb. 23. The letter was given to the patriarch by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, former president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who was invited to Moscow for the birthday festivities. In addition to offering his prayers and best wishes, the pope expressed his hopes for improved relations between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches.

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